O report monthly (October) from Cable Connected - an observatory of conflicts in Mozambique - concluded that the government has consolidated control of the Cabo Delgado Reconstruction Plan in Maputo, leaving little to say to the population that should benefit from the funds. And on the other hand, the document states that variations in the budget estimates of the plan have shown that the creation of a second "Fund" for another box is underway.

According to the document, the priority for Cabo Delgado is to reestablish political control over the province, and this is a process that has gained speed over the course of the conflict.

"There is much evidence in the proposed budget for the district of Mocímboa da Praia that there is leeway in reconstruction spending that can be used to line the pockets of political allies," the document reads.

The district government is expected to spend 52 dollars (about 3,351 meticais, in today's exchange rate) for each photo of the President of the Republic for a set of 150 photos. And for the same program, the district office of the National Institute for Social Action also sets aside 94 dollars (about 6,059 meticais) per photo.

Cost estimates per tent vary: $28 (1,804 meticais) for the central district government; $156 (10,055 meticais) for the public health service; and $783 (50,472 meticais) for the district economic activities office.

"These kinds of discrepancies do not represent large dollar amounts in the government's corruption scheme, but they are precursors to the kind of creative budgeting that could fund what amounts to a system of direct presidential community patronage for Cabo Delgado," it reads.

At the national level, the management of the Cabo Delgado Reconstruction Plan falls to the Council of Ministers; and at the provincial level it is implemented by the Provincial Secretary of State, with the Governor in an "assistance" role.

Recall that under Mozambique's recent constitutional reforms, provincial governors are elected by citizens of each province, however, provincial Secretaries of State are appointed by the President of the Republic, reports Cabo Ligado.

The paper we have been quoting also looks at informal trade between Mozambique and Tanzania during the conflict phase, as well as international training programs for Mozambican security forces.

Source: Carta